Weekend Garden & Pottery Recap

Spurred on by the change in temperature, Joe and I spent a good two hours ripping out tired squash and bean vines and all the wire remesh used for the tunnel and dome. Although the okra was still happily producing, I pulled it out too so that I could begin tilling up the plots to let them rest for the fall. The lettuces that were scattered in various beds have been consolidated to a couple central locations, although I doubt we will eat a salad anytime soon as something keeps munching holes in the leaves. I have mixed emotions seeing the newly emptied beds. The garden looks sleepy, which only compounds my current sullen mood. Hopefully next weekend we can finally finish the fence and do a good mulching.

Fortunately, the time at the wheel has been more productive. Throwing pottery is a bit like riding a bike. I’ve found my arms and hands again, and I’m daring to try larger pieces. I ran out of the clay I purchased in Durham, and I’ve moved on to a leftover bag of Orange Stone. This gritty clay body is surprisingly forgiving, and I’ve been able to get more height out of it than the last clay I was using. The most challenging aspect of throwing in the garage is keeping steady hands while also fending off Wookie who likes to run around with a wooden yard stick and steal my tools. We must sound like quite a circus in our garage with all the crazy noises coming from the boys and from myself when one of them ventures too close to the wheel. “N-n-n-n-a! WATCH IT! Maaaaf…”

For years now, Scooby has been trying to get his hands on my camera, so Saturday I decided to show him how to properly handle it and keep his fingers off the lens. He snapped this one of my while I was working.